5 Ways to Feel Fulfilled Without a Romantic Partner

By Monica Arroyo

Maybe you’ve been single for a while. Perhaps you’ve just gone through a break-up.

Either way, you might feel unfulfilled compared to when you were in a relationship. You might miss the person you were when you were dating your former partner. Or maybe you miss the activities you did together. It’s natural—yet, you don’t have to feel this way.

Is a single life always lonely? Or can you be happy, healthy, and productive as a single person? The answer is yes, you can. It’s time to think outside the box and figure out what really makes you feel alive.

Here are a few ways to feel more fulfilled and enjoy a single life.

1. Spend Time With Your Friends

Sometimes, people in relationships don’t spend as much time with their friends as they did before getting together with their partner. Since you’re single, why not call up the people you haven’t seen in a while and get together with them?

Your friends will probably be happy to have the chance to spend more time with you. Remember that even if you are single, what’s important is surrounding yourself with good people.

2. Volunteer

Instead of going out and looking for a new partner, you can spend some of your extra free time focusing on giving back to your community. Think about a cause you believe in and how you might be able to get involved.

Could you volunteer at your local animal shelter? How about doing a beach clean-up? You might also be interested in serving food at a soup kitchen, or mentoring young people. Volunteering helps you feel like you’re a part of something bigger than yourself. And that can be enormously fulfilling.

3. Adopt a Pet

Do you still feel like you need company? Does your house feel a little empty sometimes? Adopting a dog or cat might be the right choice for you. Bringing a new pet into your home isn’t something to be taken lightly, but it can be very rewarding if you’re willing to put in the effort!

Having a pet can boost your mood—it’s like having someone around who can always put a smile on your face when you’re feeling down. But remember, taking care of a pet can take up a lot of time and energy, so make sure that you’re up to the task before making any big decisions.

4. Try New Hobbies

When you were in a relationship, you might not have had the time to do all the things you wanted to do. Or perhaps your partner did not share some of your hobbies, so you dropped them for a while.

Now that you have more time for yourself, there’s no reason why you can’t get back to the activities that you really enjoy. Is there a class you’ve been thinking about taking? What about a local organization that you’ve been interested in joining? Well… you have the opportunity to do it now!

5. Take Care of Yourself

With extra free time and more flexibility, you have the chance to treat yourself. Did you neglect to go to the gym when you were with your last partner? This might be the right time to go back.

Taking good care of yourself while you’re single will help you to be the best version of yourself that you can be. Cook healthy meals, go to yoga on the weekend, set aside time to have relaxing nights at home to destress. Be good to yourself and make healthy choices.

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Have you been single for a while? Are you feeling less than fulfilled—and you’re ready for a change? Talk therapy can help give you even more guidance on how to feel fulfilled and enjoy your life. Find more information under Services